Lost in Loveland

Some may disagree and say that K-lee Klein’s sequel, Lost in Loveland, could be read as a standalone, but I would argue that much would be lost if the reader chose to do that. So, I will forewarn you that my review will contain spoilers from the first novel in this series, Lucky in Loveland, and therefore, please proceed reading with that in mind. This author does sweet romance unlike no other. Even when she throws in a bit of angst here and there, her characters have such fantastic chemistry together that even newer relationships have that lived-in, almost married feel to them. Lucky and Jack are no exception. Theirs is a story of love—fragile most assuredly—yet still, it presents as a profound lasting type of love if they only allow themselves to share the tortured past both cling to and cannot deny.

Lucky and Jack are attending a celebratory night out with the hockey guys after Lucky’s team placed in a weekend tournament. While at the bar, Lucky lets go and drinks just a bit too much, but that’s okay ’cause Jack keeps his head about him and looks after his man. But an unwelcome visitor shows up at the bar and reminds Lucky of a past he has fought so hard to forget. When that same person makes a pass at Jack in the restroom, Lucky comes unhinged and turns violent. This is a side of Lucky that Jack has never seen, and never wants to again. On top of that, Jack’s phone has been pinging incessantly with more and more threatening texts from his sisters. It seems that not only Lucky has unfinished business, and Jack must now head back home—a place he had run from—to finally settle his parents’ estate and deal with his three angry sisters. Each man feels they must keep this ugly side of themselves from the other, but if they are to survive as a couple, then not only must they confront their problems but they also must trust each other to look beyond them and see the person each desires to become.

I enjoyed this sequel very much. While I feel it lacked some of the depth the first novel had, it still went a long way in revealing more about our two main characters and the demons that still held them both. I think I missed the town members the most in this story, for they were what made the first novel so special—the community that surrounded Lucky and, later, Jack, was what made Loveland and all the events that took place seem so very real and special. This time there was more emphasis on personal growth—particularly for Jack, who had to come to terms with the death of his parents even though that loss had occurred more than a year earlier. Unfortunately, I felt the reunion and subsequent outcome/resolution with his sisters was a bit too easily managed. The amount of vitriol and anger Jack was slapped with from the moment he returned home was fairly intense, and while I did think some of that was explained and resolved appropriately, the speed with which that occurred was a bit mind-boggling.

The other issue I had with this installment is actually more of a desire for further information about Lucky’s past. We got tempting snippets of things that he had gone through before Jack arrived in Loveland—I really wish these had been developed a bit further, for I feel they would have only added to the story, making it much richer plot-wise. However, that desire cannot detract from the fact that Lucky continues to be such an endearing creation—a person you really want to meet and hang with—he is just that sweet. I loved reading the interactions he has with Jack, particularly near the end of the novel when he makes a decision that could have potentially ended what he has with Jack before it has a chance to move to the next level.

Lost in Loveland is a novel that gives you an opportunity to watch a fragile relationship between two scared men blossom into something more—something that could possibly become a “happy forever after” in so many lovely ways.

“Sometimes all you need is a big leap of faith.” ~ Sean Bean

When Jack and Lucky, of 'Lost in Loveland' by K-Lee Klein, start dating, they decide to take it slow to give them time to get to know each other before considering anything serious. It has been six months now; they've settled into a warm and comfortable pattern and are happier than they have ever been before. They are in love yet, for fear of driving the other away, Lucky and Jack still hesitate to take the next step. They need to trust their feelings and take the necessary leap of faith that will cement their relationship. Something needs to happen to shake them out of their fear and into each other’s loving arms.

When Jack comes to Loveland, he hopes to make a new start; to leave the grief from losing his parents and the conflicts he's always had with his three sisters behind. Life is never that simple. Jack is the executor of his parents’ estate and has the final say on anything concerning it. Jack's sisters constantly call him but, not wanting to deal with their selfishness, pettiness, and just plain spitefulness, Jack avoids their calls. When he finally contacts one of them, she tricks him into coming back home under the guise that they have sold their parents' home. When Jack tells Lucky what has happened and that he needs to go back and deal with it, Lucky is ready to drop everything and go with Jack, for moral support if nothing else, but Jack tells Lucky he doesn't want him there. Jack fears that contact with his crazy family will cause Lucky to run in the opposite direction. Understandably, Lucky is hurt but he has no choice but to honor Jack's wishes and stay behind.

Lucky misses Jack terribly while he is gone. Their lives are so entangled that seldom does a day go by when they aren't together. With Jack gone, Lucky doesn't quite know what to do with himself. Without Jack's reassurance, Lucky begins to doubt himself. He wracks his brain for something he's done that Jack might be upset about. Lucky's past insecurity creeps back in and he begins to wonder whether or not he's good enough for Jack. Lucky knows practically nothing about Jack's family because Jack is unwilling to share that information. After talking to one of Jack's students, who is certain that Jack won't be back, Lucky's imagination begins to run away with him and he begins to wonder. Lucky begins to fear that once Jack gets back home, he will realize how much he misses it and will want to stay, soon forgetting about him.

Jack and Lucky are suffering from something lots of people face, a lack of understanding due to poor communication. They are so tied up in the bad choices they've made in the past, that they hesitate to let the present determine their future. Love doesn't have to be as complicated as people make it; they need to listen more to their hearts and less to their heads.

I adore Jack and Lucky. They are such complicated, yet genuine people that I couldn't help but become attached. This is the second book in the 'Welcome to Loveland' series and should be read sequentially. If you like long-haired, hippie-like school teachers and plaid-shirted, wool-capped hockey players, and an endearing host of townspeople living in a very special place, you may enjoy this story. Thanks, K-lee, for another pleasurable visit with Jack and Lucky. I look forward to reading your next book.